Colorado Rockies Outfielder Exercises Player Option

Without much surprise, Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon has decided to to exercise his $21 million player option for next season. The 35-year-old has expressed desire to stay in Colorado.

Had Blackmon opted to test the free agent, it's unlikely that he would have received an offer that expensive after the year he just had. However, if he is able to find his previous form, he certainly could find himself in a position to make that kind of money on the open market if he opts out for the 2023 season.

For the record, Blackmon certainly wasn't bad last season, but he didn't put up an All-Star campaign that fans have grown to expect from him. In 150 games, he had 13 home runs, 78 RBIs and a .270 batting average. That is pretty solid production at the plate, but it wasn't like his best days when he was a consistent .300 hitter.

Over his career, Blackmon has made four All-Star games, won the Silver Slugger Award twice and won the Batting Title in 2017 with a .331 batting average. He also led the league with 14 triples that year, too.

We will have to see how Blackmon performs in 2022. Don't be surprised for a solid bounce back campaign. Keep in mind, he started turning it on as the year progressed after his slow start.